Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in a woman’s uterus. They are groups of muscle cells and other tissues that can be as small as one centimeter or as large as six inches in diameter. Though you may not be familiar with this condition, uterine fibroids are extremely common. In fact, more than 70 percent of all women develop fibroids by the time they turn 50.
Signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids
While many women do not experience any signs or symptoms, uterine fibroids can be very difficult for others to manage. Signs and symptoms can include:
- Prolonged or heavy menstruation
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent urination
- Lower back pain
- Anemia
- Abdominal distention or cramping
- Pain during intercourse
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Early miscarriages
Available treatment options
Uterine fibroids are often discovered during routine pelvic exams. If your doctor feels irregularities in the size or shape of your uterus, she may want to confirm her diagnosis with an ultrasound or lab tests. Once your diagnosis is confirmed, there are many treatment options available, depending on your specific medical needs, including:
- Medications – Hormonal medications target the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle and treat symptoms of heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure. They may also help shrink the size of the fibroids to eliminate any symptoms.
- Noninvasive procedures – An MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) does not require an incision and can effectively target, treat and eliminate small areas of fibroid tissue.
- Minimally invasive procedures – Procedures like uterine artery embolization, myolysis, endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic myomectomy, and laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy can eliminate uterine fibroids without traditional surgery.
- Traditional surgical procedures – For women with multiple fibroids, very large or very deep fibroids, abdominal myomectomy or hysterectomy surgical procedures are the only proven and permanent solutions.
If you regularly experience abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual cycles, or abdominal pain and distension, Adriatica Women’s Health wants you to know it is not normal. You don’t have to live with the pain, discomfort or inconvenience of uterine fibroids. Call 972-542-8884 for expert gynecology in Prosper and McKinney, TX.